Graphite lubricating apparatus.



No. 795,826. PATENTED JULY 25,1905. W. B. WRIGHT.

GRAPHITE LUBRIGATING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION .EILED JULY 24, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHBBT l PATENTED JULY '25, 1905. W. B. WRIGHT.

GRAPHITE LUBRIGATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED srArEs Parana OFFICE,

IVALTER B. IVRIGHT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO E. GOLDMAN &; COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

GRAPHITE LUBRICATING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

latented July 25, 1905.

Application filed July 24, 1902. Serial No. 116,857.

'tion.

This invention relates to improvements in a lubricating apparatus, and refers more specifically to an apparatus particularly designed for use in feeding pulverulent graphite to steam-engines.

Among the salient objects of the invention are to provide a construction in which the graphite may be introduced to the steamsupply in graduated quantities without permitting the escape of steam; to provide a construction in which the supply of graphite contained in the hopper or feed-receptacle may be replenished from time to time without permitting the escape of steam or in any wise interfering with the regular operation of the steam apparatus or lubricator; to provide a construction in which the graphite is taken up and conveyed to the body of steam passing to the engine by means of a stream of liquid as distinguished from an apparatus which discharges directly into the body of steam, thus insuring a more regular and continuous supply of the lubricant; to provide a construction in which a reciprocating plunger operates to feed the graphite into the receiving-passage in successive charges, a charge being delivered upon each reciprocation of the plunger; to provide such a construction that the feeding operation of the lubricating apparatus may be inspected through a sightopening; to provide a construction and arrangement whereby the lubricant is introduced to a passage constituting a by-pass to a main steam-pipe and within which by-pass the pressure is practically uniform except as affected by the relatively slight variation in pressure introduced by the flow of steam through the main steam-pipe; to so arrange the by-pass last mentioned that a relatively large amount of condensation may occur therein, the waters of which condensation will become a vehicle for transferring the lubricant to the main steam-pipe; to provide an extremely positive and reliable feed mechanism, and in general to provide a simple, improved, and eflicient apparatus of the character referred to.

To these ends the invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and more par ticularly pointed out in the appended claims, and the invention will be more readily understood from the following description by reference to the accompanying drawings, form ing a part thereof, and in which Figure 1 is an elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention, parts being broken away to reduce the size of the figure and also to expose certain details of construction; and Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken in the plane of the axis of the feed-plunger or at right angles to the view shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a steam-trunkas, for example, a pipe leading to a steam-engine cylinder-and 2, aby-pass pipe of reduced diameter and in open communication at its ends with the steam-trunk 1'. Upon the by-pass pipe 2 at a point intermediate the height of the latter, which is arranged vertically, is mounted a lubricating apparatus, comprising generallya hopper or reservoir 3, a feed-pipe 4, in which the hopper discharges, a feed-plunger 5, working within said feed-pipe, and an eccentric mechanism for operating said plunger and comprising an eccentric wheel 6, a worm 7, operatively engaging worm-teeth 8, formed upon the circular periphery of the eccentric wheel, and a belt-wheel 9 upon the shaft of the worm 7.

In the preferred construction shown herein the feed-pipe 4 is formed integrally with a four-way union-piece 10, which forms, in effect, an extension of the feed-pipe and is inserted transversely in the by-pass pipe 2, said union-piece being to this end provided with upper and lower internally-threaded nipples 11 and 11, respectively, and a transverse or intersecting passage 12, which forms a continuation of the passage through the by-pass pipe and intersects the main or horizontal passage of the feed-pipe proper. I

The feed-plunger 5 as preferably constructed consists of a round or cylindric rod of uniform diameter throughout the greater part of its length and is arranged to fit snugly within the feed-pipe 4, one end thereof being arranged to reciprocate out through the end of the union-piece 10, while its opposite end is provided with a right-angled rigid wrist extension 13, which extends through a longitudinally-extending slot 14, formed through the side wall of the feed-pipe at that end of the latter remote from the by-pass pipe. Upon the same side of the feed-pipe that contains the slot 14 is formed or mounted a bearing-stud 15, extending at right angles there from, upon which is journaled the eccentric wheel 6, hereinbefore referred to, said eccentric wheel bearing upon its face proximate to the feed-pipe an eccentric groove or race 16, within which the end of the wrist 13 extends, thereby operatively connecting the feedplunger with the eccentric wheel. Preferably in order to reduce friction the end of the wrist 13 engaged with the eccentric groove is provided with an antifriction-roller 17, as usual.

The hopper 3, as shown herein and as conveniently constructed, is formed integrally with the feed-pipe 4 and is supported above the latter, the bottom wall of said hopper being desirably inclined or formed to converge downwardly to a restricted feed-opening 18, which communicates with the passage of the feed-pipe. Through the feed-plunger 5 is formed a transverse aperture 19, which is preferably of approximately the same diameter as the internal diameter of the by-pass pipe and is shown in Fig. 2 as located exactly in register with said pipe, the feed-plunger being shown at the limits of its throw in one direction in said figure. The throw of the eccen trio is such as to bring the opening 19 of the feed-plunger into register with the feedaperture 18 of the hopper when the plunger is at its opposite limit of movement.

In the present instance the eccentric wheel 6 is shown as driven by a worm-gear mechanism, and to this end a bearing-bracket 20 is formed or mounted upon the hopper 3 at a point above the eccentric wheel and provided with a transverse bearing-aperture within which is ournaled a shaft 21, carrying the worm 7, hereinbefore referred to, and which is arranged to intermesh with the series of worm-teeth 8, formed in the periphery of the eccentric wheel 6. Upon the end of the worm-shaft 21 is mounted the belt-wheel 9, which may be belted to any suitable moving part of the engine.

In order to prevent the escape of steam out through the feed-pipe into the hopper or out through the open. ends of the feed-pipe, I provide a packing which is conveniently arranged within the union-piece 10 and constructed as follows: That part of the unionpiece through which the feed-plunger extends is internally enlarged or chambered, as indicated at 22, and within said chamber is arranged an annulus 23, which is provided with a transverse aperture 23, arranged in register with the by-pass-pipe passage. Between the side wall of the annulus 23 and the inner end of the chamber 22 is interposed a series of packing-washers, preferably of me tallic packing 2 1, and at the outer side of said annulus is arranged a second series of similar packing washers or gaskets 24, which are held in compressed. engagement with the annulus by means of a gland-nut 25, threaded into the end of the union-piece 10, a follower 26 being preferably interposed between the end of the gland-nut and the packing-washers 2 1.

The interior of the by-pass pipe is in open communication with the main steam-trunk, and accordingly each time the opening 19 of the feed-plunger is brought into register with said bypass pipe it receives a charge of steam or gas which upon the retraction of the feedplunger is pocketed within the plunger-opening and would be thereby transferred to the interior of the reservoir except for the provision of means now to be described. In order to prevent this transfer of steam or gas under pressure to the reservoir, I provide a vent-aperture 27, formed to extend through the feedpipe, in the upper side thereof, at a point between the union-piece and the hopper, which vent obviously permits the steam pocketed within the opening 19 to escape before it reaches the hopper.

Inasmuch as the bypass pipe is in open communication with the main steam-trunk at both of its ends and opens into said trunk at right angles thereto, there is little, if any, tendency of the steam torush through the by-pass, and inasmuch as said by-pass pipe is of relatively small diameter it follows that the steam is largely condensed therein and forms a continuous stream of water which trickles down and enters the steam-trunk at the lower end of the bypass pipe. This stream of water takes up the graphite introduced by the feed-plunger and carries it along in the form of a more or less continuous stream, and in order that I may determine whether or not the lubricant is being properly fed into the apparatus I provide a sightopening located below the union-piece and constructed as follows: 27 designates a suit able transparent tube-section, usually glass, arranged to form an inset in the by-pass pipe and surrounded by a tubular caging device 28, which is provided at opposite sides with openings, as 29 and 30, through which the contents of the glass may be viewed. The glass 27 is seated at its upper end against a suitable seat formed within a nipple 11 of the union-piece hereinbefore referred to, while the cage 29 is externally threaded and seated within said nipple. At its opposite end the cage member 28 is seated within a coupling 32, which is also provided internally with a seat for the engagement of the lower end of the tubular glass, the arrangement being such that the tube may be clamped into bearing engagement with the seats at its respective ends by means of the outer caging member. In order to insure a steam-tight union, packing washers or gaskets 31 and are interposed between the ends of the tube and the respective seats.

The lower end of the coupling member 32 is internally threaded and connected with the continuation'of the by-pass pipe.

The operation of the apparatus constructed as described is probably entirely obvious from the foregoing description, but maybe briefly reviewed as follows: A suitable supply of pulverized graphite having been placed within the hopper and the belt-wheel 9 suitably connected, by means of a belt, with any suitable rotating part of the engine, the apparatus is in readiness for operation. Assuming that a supply of steam is passing through the main trunk 1 in its course to the cylinder of the engine or other source of consumption and the belt-wheel of the lubricating apparatus is be ing driven, the worm-gear mechanism operates to rotate the eccentric wheel, thereby imparting a more or less gradual reciprocatory movement to the feed-plunger, the feedopening 19 of which is alternately brought into register with the opening of the hopper to receive a supply of graphite and then into register with the by-pass pipe, wherein the supply contained in the plunger is discharged. As the body of steam passes through the main trunk a certain limited amount of steam will flow through the by-pass pipe; but this supply of steam will be largely condensed in the by-pass pipe by reason of the fact that there is but little tendency to drive the steam through the by-pass. The water of condensation from the steam condensed in the by-pass pipe will be arrested by the body of the feed-plunger and collect above the latter except during those intervals when the feedopening of the plunger is in register with the bypass, at which intervals the accumulated liquid will take up the graphite and carry it downwardly through the lower part of the by-pass and into the main trunk. The natural tendency of the liquid will be to distribute itself into a uniform stream, so that by the time it reaches the main trunk the graphite will be introduced in a more or less continuous manner, depending upon the rate of reciprocation of the feed-plunger. As the graphite passes through the tubular glass 0pposite the sight-openings it will of course be within view of the engineer, who can tell by simple inspection whether or not the apparatus is working properly.

While I have herein shown and described what I deem to be a preferred embodiment of the invention, yet it will be obvious that l the details of construction may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not, therefore, limit myself to the details of construction shown except to the extent that they are made the subject of specific claims.

I claim as my invention 1. An apparatus for feeding pulverulent lubricant to a steam-trunk, comprising in combination with said trunk, a by-pass pipe connected at both ends, and having open communication, with said trunk at longitudinally -separated points, whereby steam from said trunk escapes into said by-pass and condenses and trickles down and back into said steam-trunk, a transversely-extending feed-pipe intersecting said by-pass pipe between said points and having therein a transverse opening registering with the passage through said by-pass pipe, afeed-plunger provided with a transversely-extending opening adapted to reciprocate within said feed-pipe, a feed-hopper communicating with said feedpipe, and means for reciprocating said feedplunger to bring its transversely-extending o ening alternately into communication with t e discharge from said feed-hopper and into register with the by-pass pipe, whereby the trickling stream of water through said bypass pipe carries said lubricant into said steam-trunk.

2. In a lubricating apparatus of the character described, the combination with a motive-fiuid pipe, a feed-pipe, a union-piece inserted in said motive-fluid pipe, and pro vided with a transverse passage constituting a continuation of the passage of the feed-pipe, a feed-plunger mounted to reciprocate in said feed-pipe and provided with a transverse opening, a feedhopper mounted above said feed-pipe and communicating through a feed connection with the interior of the feed-pipe, a wheel having an eccentric groove and mounted on an aXis extending at right angles to, and adjacent to one side of said feed-pipe, a wrist upon said feed-plunger operatively engaged with said eccentric groove, wormgear teeth upon said wheel, a worm-shaft carrying a worm, and means for operating said worm-shaft journaled upon said hopper, substantially as described.

' TVALTER B. WRIGHT.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. GRAvEs, FREDERICK G. GOODWIN 

